DarkSkay

Aaahhh, this is better! Please someone delete the broken text. Thanks.

Like the original poster said, the opening moves are decisive and this strategy game makes no difference. To give a meaningful answer to the question one needs to make (a lot) of assumptions. We are talking single player here. Some of the factors: - Game setup chosen - Size of map - Number/personality/AI of opponents - Game speed settings - Early scouting - Proximity of an opponent, location of pirate base - Metal, C

...sorry, this post has been completely scrambled...trying again...

- Proximity of an opponent, location of pirate base - Metal, Crystal or Credits rich/starved environment - Invulnerable conquerable mines (->Vasari Scout) - Topography (layout of phase lanes, chokepoints, wormholes) - ... In general in 1v1 you would probably be best advised to take an offensive stance. I think 1v1 could be called a zero-sum game: e.g. if player A loses 3 frigates and player B loses 3 of the same